2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC — MOT failures & pass rate
7,964 MOT tests on the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC are in this dataset, and 93.2% of them passed. That is effectively the same as mid-size SUVs of a similar age (7.6% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 5.4% of tests against 1.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, wipers and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 137 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.0% in the 0-30k band and 12.2% in the 90-120k band, a 6.2-point spread — more than double.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 6.5% of the time against 6.9% for diesel.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 20.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.4% | 432 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.2% | 92 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 0.7% | 55 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.7% | 52 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.3% | 23 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.2% | 19 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 137 |
| 2 | Wipers | 67 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 57 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 47 |
| 5 | Washers | 30 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 29 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 20.9% | 1,666 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.4% | 432 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.1% | 409 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.3% | 266 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.1% | 87 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.3% | 21 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 4,678 | 6.0% |
| 30-60k | 2,989 | 8.0% |
| 60-90k | 249 | 8.0% |
| 90-120k | 41 | 12.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 5,328 | 6.9% |
| Hybrid | 2,084 | 6.8% |
| Petrol | 552 | 6.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 397 | 5.8% |
| 2025 | 7,558 | 6.9% |
What to check before buying a 2022 GLC
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.4% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.4% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Visibility (1.2% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (0.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLCs pass their MOT?
93.2% of the 7,964 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC?
Tyres, recorded in 5.4% of tests, followed by visibility (1.2%).
Does the 2022 GLC get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.0% in the 0-30k band to 12.2% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,964 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.